Located on Taiwan’s eastern coast, Hualien County is the island’s largest region and one of the most popular destinations for visitors after Taipei. Discover its intriguing mix of natural attractions inland and get stunning Pacific Ocean views along the vast stretches of picturesque coastline.
Make your way to Taroko National Park on the northern tip of Hualien County and revel in the beauty of its gorges, steep sea cliffs and mountain views. Admire the jaw-dropping scenery at Taroko Gorge and hike along the numerous picturesque trails, such as the impressive Tunnels of Nine Turns. Visit the serene temple of Xiangde in the historic Tianxiang Scenic Area.
Hualien County has wonderful stretches of coastline. One of the most popular is the crescent-shaped, pebbled Qixingtan Beach just outside Hualien City. Stroll or cycle at leisure along the shoreline or enjoy a paddle in the blue-green sea. Note that swimming is not recommended due to strong currents in the area. Travel to Shitiping to view volcanic rock formations and discover unique marine life.
Pamper yourself at one of Hualien County’s numerous natural hot springs. Journey to the iron-rich Ruisui Hot Spring, known for its Japanese-style spa. Antong Hot Spring is surrounded by magical mountain scenery.
The countryside around Hualien County is fertile territory for producing tea, rice and pineapples, especially in the lush East Rift Valley National Scenic Area. Enjoy an afternoon at the Wuhe Tourist Tea Plantation or tour the Hualien Sugar Factory in Guangfu. This was once one of the largest sugar refineries in Taiwan and now serves as a small history museum, shopping venue and unique event space.
Many visitors to Hualien County choose to base themselves in compact Hualien City to explore its mix of numerous coastal parks and heritage sites from the Japanese colonial era. Reach the city easily from Taipei on the high-speed train services the journey generally takes less than 3 hours.
